2012 BMW G650GS Sertao Owners

I thought I would start a thread to let all the up and coming 2012 BMW G650GS Sertao owners discuss details of their purchase, pictures, etc over the next few months (until these finally arrive at dealers).

Yep I already know that this is basically a Dakar model re-badged but it's still a great bike for an entry level adventure rider such as myself and the price is right too.

Anyways, post your thoughts, pictures, experiences with dealers on this bike etc so all others on this forum can hear all about it.

I am not a beginning rider but do prefer lighter bike in the dirt. Find the +1000 cc Adv Tourers too unwieldy in many off-road circumstances. The 800 cc range bikes are more manageable (and practical if you can only have one bike) but I am interested to see what peoples' thoughts are on the Sertao as they come out. Could be a nice platform for a little dirt play and the occasional roadtrip.

I've ridden a KLR up the Dalton Hwy while my buddy rode the f650gs. We were both throttles pinned the whole ride and wishing for more. Is the Sertao anything to get excited about?
Not a troll, just asking.

The 650 DP class are great solo tourers/offroad explorers for sure. Unless you want a new bike you might be better off to buy a used Dakar and spend the savings on mods such as USD forks. It's a real shame BMW didn't include them on the Sertao, couldn't have cost that much more to slap on a set from the G650X Country or 800GS.

I haven't seen anyone claim it's a major innovation in any way -- just an update of the reasonably popular Dakar. Sure, everyone would love if they'd shaved 30 - 50 pounds off of it, but that's clearly not going to happen.

I sold a 1200 Adv a few years ago as just way too heavy (for me, at least) to do anything very technical on, and moved to an RT as a vastly better tourer, again for me. Now I'm thinking I need a new lightweight adventure tourer in my stable, for dirt and gravel around the AZ and the other four corner states. I'll consider a Sertao in the next year, as well as a 690 Enduro (or 690 Adventure, if it materializes).

The Enduro has an 80-90 lb weight advantage, more power and more suspension, but the Sertao has (or will have) more comfort, more aftermarket everything, easier maintenance and more reliability. So I don't know which way I'm going to go, but I'm glad to have the choice.

I haven't seen anyone claim it's a major innovation in any way -- just an update of the reasonably popular Dakar. Sure, everyone would love if they'd shaved 30 - 50 pounds off of it, but that's clearly not going to happen.

I sold a 1200 Adv a few years ago as just way too heavy (for me, at least) to do anything very technical on, and moved to an RT as a vastly better tourer, again for me. Now I'm thinking I need a new lightweight adventure tourer in my stable, for dirt and gravel around the AZ and the other four corner states. I'll consider a Sertao in the next year, as well as a 690 Enduro (or 690 Adventure, if it materializes).

The Enduro has an 80-90 lb weight advantage, more power and more suspension, but the Sertao has (or will have) more comfort, more aftermarket everything, easier maintenance and more reliability. So I don't know which way I'm going to go, but I'm glad to have the choice.

I'd say that you should move past the brand and also investigate bikes from other manufacturers.

DL650
Versys
Tiger 800

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I've actually owned a number of XLs (100,150,250,650), a KLR 650, KLX 250s, and Yamahas over the past number of years and have taken many long distance trips with these Japanese bikes (including Canada to Mexico on the KLR). I have enjoyed all those, but they just seem very basic (they work fine, but I have never 'loved' them).

I'm now looking for something a bit more technically advanced (ie. fuel injection) and have test rode a few BMWs and fell in love. I may be in the honey moon phase of BMW enduros, but I can always trade up again in a few years. The 1200 was amazing, but WAY too much bike for exploring the back country, the old 650s are nice, but heavy and a bit small for eating up miles. I was leaning to the F8, but have concerns around reliability.

I'm sold on the BMW for my next ride, just need to determine if the F8 is worth the extra $$, of if something like a new Sertao or used 2008 Dakar would suffice.